Once again, Washington finds itself at a familiar crossroads as the NFL trade deadline approaches, trapped in the classic dilemma of whether to buy or sell. However, the internal and external landscape has shifted dramatically. The team’s presumed primary trade target, left guard Quenton Nelson was shipped off to Seattle, while their most valuable trade asset
, Daron Payne, was lost for the season after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot.While most front offices in this precarious position would
choose to stand pat and do nothing, Washington’s circumstances are uniquely complicated. The NFC East remains wide open. Philadelphia is officially tanking, Dallas is imploding and the Giants are an incredibly flawed unit. Because no one else seems to want the division, a playoff berth remains a long, but realistic shot. On the flip side, Washington has glaring roster holes, and the coaching staff hasn’t inspired enough confidence to make a true postseason push feel believable. Ultimately, the upcoming matchup against the Rams will likely act as the pendulum that swings the front office in one direction or the other.
In the meantime, a comprehensive blueprint outlines the names to consider selling — and the pieces to look at bringing in.
Selling
EDGE Dorrance Armstrong
Dorance Armstrong finally got himself on the sack scoreboard against Philly, but he increasingly looks like the odd man out in this rotation. He is still working his way back into form after an ACL tear derailed a highly impressive start to his campaign last year. While his current market value might not trigger a bidding war, his status on an expiring contract makes him a prime candidate to move. Getting any draft capital in return is better than letting him walk for nothing.
Potential Buyers: Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals
EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
I’m really against trading K’Lavon Chaisson, as he has arguably been the team’s most effective pure pass rusher and fits Daronte Jones’ defensive scheme to a tee. However, he is also on an one-year deal, which automatically makes him Washington’s most valuable healthy trade asset. Contending teams are always desperate for EDGE help down the stretch, meaning Chaisson would command a robust market and bring back the highest return if the front office decides to pivot toward the future.
Potential Buyers: San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals.
OL Andrew Wylie
While casual observers might scoff at Wylie’s trade value, experienced, plug-and-play veteran offensive linemen are incredibly difficult to find midseason. Wylie has built a steady reputation across the league as a stable, high-floor, yet unspectacular right tackle who can also play inside. For a contender dealing with a sudden injury along the front five, Wylie represents an affordable insurance policy who won’t derail an offense.
Potential Buyers: Teams requiring immediate, veteran tackle depth or frontline protection stability.
QB Marcus Mariota
Put the pitchforks down for just a second and hear this out. Everyone knows how vital a high-level backup quarterback is in today’s NFL, especially with Jayden Daniels playing a physical brand of football where a single bad hit puts the season in Mariota’s hands. However, multiple teams are desperate for immediate quarterback stability and are willing to overpay. If Mariota genuinely wants another shot to start, Washington could leverage that desire into significant draft capital. While a trade remains highly unlikely given his value as a locker room mentor and insurance policy, every player has a price tag if the right offer rolls in.
Potential Buyers: Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings
DBs Mikey Sainristil & Quan Martin
These two young defensive backs belong in the same conversation because they present nearly identical dilemmas. If a buyer emerges for either player, it will be a team looking to gamble on their raw traits, hoping a change of scenery can salvage their development and unlock their potential in a different system. At this stage, if a front office offers even an ounce of real draft value for either defender, management should take the deal immediately and run.
Potential Buyers: Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions.
Buyers
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor
The potential pairing of Jayden Daniels and Jonathan Taylor in the same backfield is nothing short of electrifying. One could easily argue that Taylor represents the most talented, game-changing trade piece currently available on the market. However, that elite pedigree comes with a massive price tag, which might ultimately cause Washington’s front office to hesitate. At 27 years old, Taylor carries a heavy career workload on his body. Trading premium assets for a running back with significant mileage always raises red flags. Yet, if he can maintain his current high level of production, he would instantly become the most dominant skill-position player Daniels has ever shared a huddle with in Washington, completely redefining the team’s offensive identity.
Value: Low Day 1 or High Day 2 (plus) pick
Tony Pollard
It seems someone tipped Pollard off about the deadline rumors because he has put on an absolute clinic over the past two weeks. Pollard remains a highly underappreciated player who provides efficiency both as an interior rusher and a reliable outlet in the passing game. While he may not be a game changer who completely tilts defensive game plans, he is the exact type of high-floor contributor who helps you win tight football games down the stretch. Hitting the age 30 threshold means his price tag is suppressed, but that exact same age factor might sway front offices away from making a move entirely.
Projected Value: Mid-to-low Day 3 pick
Breece Hall
Despite recently signing an extension with the Jets, history shows that long-term contracts don’t make a player untradeable—look no further than how New York handled Sauce Gardner last year. While Hall is currently sidelined with an injury, his upside remains undeniable. When fully healthy, he is an elite, dynamic weapon out of the backfield—the exact type of premier playmaker that a young quarterback like Jayden Daniels has yet to work with in the NFL. Bringing in an explosive dual-threat like Hall would completely transform the offense’s ceiling.
Value: High-to-Mid Day 2 Pick
Keaton Mitchell/Omarion Hampton/Kimani Vidal
Sitting at a disappointing 0-7, the Chargers are in complete disarray, and their lackluster running game has left a lot to be desired. Ironically, the backfield remains arguably the deepest room on the roster, making it prime real estate for draft capital. Los Angeles needs to accumulate as many assets as possible to jumpstart this rebuild and identify core players who can actually help turn the franchise around.
• Omarion Hampton: As the prize of the group, Hampton possesses the true three-down skillset that will likely command a premium.
• Projected Value: Day 2 Pick
• Keaton Mitchell & Kimani Vidal: Both serve as highly intriguing change-of-pace options who could immediately boost a contender’s depth chart for a much lower entry cost.
• Projected Value: High-to-Mid Day 3 Pick
Receiver
Josh Downs
I wasn’t going to write anything about Downs until I saw some reports about him being tied to the team. Downs has been a solid and reliable WR for the Colts given his size he would be a slot WR wherever he goes and at 25, you’re getting a really sound player. I do worry about his next contract. Indy first-hand saw how outrageous the free market for WRs can get with the Alec Pierce deal. Investing a ton of money into him while sending out draft capital will the be real question for teams here.
Value: High- to mid-Day 3 pick
Brian Thomas Jr.
To be entirely frank, a Brian Thomas Jr. departure from Jacksonville still feels highly improbable. Though a strong argument can be made that the Jaguars should trade him, especially given that their current wide receiver depth has made him look like the odd man out in Liam Coen’s scheme. Jacksonville remains just one injury away from needing his vertical prowess back on the field. The Jaguars view themselves as legitimate postseason contenders, so retaining premium depth is essential.
Still, from a value standpoint, moving a highly-talented asset who isn’t being properly utilized makes complete sense on paper. The logistical hurdle lies in bridging the value gap: Jacksonville will rightfully demand a premium based on his status as a former first-round pick who put up 1,282 yards as a rookie, while rival teams will try to exploit his low 2026 production to buy low. The primary catalyst keeping this hypothetical alive is Thomas’ college chemistry with Jayden Daniels at LSU. While navigating the front-office demands will be difficult, if a Day 3 pick is somehow all it takes to reunite the two, Washington should make that call without a second thought.
Value: Day 3 pick
Jerry Jeudy
Of all the wide receiver names circulating on the trade block, Jeudy feels like the safest bet to land in a new home before the deadline. After essentially being phased out and replaced by rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, Jeudy is clearly the odd man out in Cleveland’s long-term plans. The Browns would be incredibly wise to cut ties, move on entirely, and clear out the roster spot.
Projected Value: Low Day 3 pick swap
iOL
Cesar Ruiz
Ruiz is one of the most intriguing names floating around the trade market. While the Saints are technically still fighting to stay alive in a wide-open NFC South, Ruiz has emerged in league circles as a trade candidate. The logic behind a potential move is two-fold. His play has largely hovered around mediocre throughout his career in New Orleans, and his massive financial footprint is a heavy burden for a cash-strapped Saints franchise. The Saints did restructure his deal right before the season kicked off, converting base salary to free up short-term cap room. That adjustment loaded his contract with heavy future dead money, which could severely complicate trade logistics. He has struggled to consistently live up to his first-round pedigree but, for a team like Washington, he would still represent an immediate upgrade over Chris Paul at right guard.
Value: Day 3
Jackson Powers-Johnson
The writing is officially on the wall for Jackson Powers-Johnson in Las Vegas. After bouncing all over the interior during his first two seasons, the Raiders benched him as their starting right guard, leaving him displaced and playing completely out of position. Despite his current struggles with consistency, JPJ still possesses immense promise as a true, fundamental center, the exact position he excelled at in college and where his long-term NFL future lies. While the Raiders front office has publicly hinted at retaining their young depth, his sudden appearance on recent injury reports has rival teams wondering if Las Vegas is simply keeping him on ice to protect his health before shipping him out. Given the right environment and an opportunity to slide back over to the pivot, Powers-Johnson is prime for a career redemption arc.
Update: Vegas said they’re not interested in trading anyone
Value: High Day 3
Wyatt Teller
Teller is no longer the All-Pro caliber blocker he was during his peak years, but he remains a highly productive player who provides instant stability to the interior of a pocket. The narrative of the Virginia native returning home to finish his career is incredibly clean on paper, and his veteran presence would do wonders for Jayden Daniels’ interior protection.
Projected Value: Day 3 pick swap
Landon Dickerson
Dickerson represents an absolute walking red flag from a medical standpoint. His history of severe knee injuries suggests his lower body is operating on borrowed time. Even at a discounted rate, trading for this level of medical instability is an unnecessary gamble. The front office should strongly and explicitly advise against executing a move here.
Projected Value: Low Day 3 pick swap
Defensive tackle
Christian Barmore
I’ll be frank with everyone. There’s not a position that frightens more in terms of future assets than the defensive position. It’s bare and next will only Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle, and Johnny Newton will be under contract. I would like another body in that room. If you don’t have a game wrecker having strong depth in this position is recommended. Barmore has seen his usage dip significantly under Mike Vrabel this season in New England. The Patriots have altered his role to favor third-down pass-rushing packages over early-down run defense, causing his snaps to drop down to 43.6% behind Milton Williams and Cory Durden. While his overall production has tapered off alongside his playtime, Barmore is only 27 years old and has a proven track record of elite interior disruption. Dropping him into a system that asks him to attack more freely could instantly revitalize his career and give Washington a high-floor rotational anchor.
Value: High Day 3 pick
Kenneth Grant
Would Miami move on from 2025 first-round pick if it meant brining in some more draft capital? That’s the real question. Grant remains completely buried on the Dolphins’ interior depth chart and was only recently activated after dealing with an injury. Regarded by many draft analysts as a massive reach when he was selected No. 13 overall, Grant has failed to flash any high-end traits over his first two seasons in the league. Crucially, the current front office regime has absolutely zero personal ties to him—they did not draft him, and they owe him no loyalty. If Miami’s coaching staff believes this raw project is beyond a rapid redemption arc, they might be highly motivated to sell him off for a reasonable, face-saving package. For Washington, his athletic traits alone make him an ideal low-risk, high-upside flier.
Value: Mid-Day 2 to high-Day 3 pick
SAFETY
Amani Hooker
Another name tied to Washington, Hooker has been a rock this year for the Titans. He is fresh off the absolute game of his life, single-handedly terrorizing Joe Burrow by picking him off three times in a single contest. While his stellar production has generated a buzz on the trade market, his current contract structure means acquiring his services shouldn’t require a premium king’s ransom. For a secondary looking to add high-IQ and reliable playmaking without exhausting foundational draft capital, Hooker represents the perfect targeted upgrade
Value: Mid-Day 3 pick
I do believe Washington’s decision will be decided by this must-win game vs the Rams. The front office’s blueprint for the next calendar year hangs entirely on this outcome. Win this game, push closer to .500, and we will likely see an aggressive front office willing to parted with draft assets to maximize Daniels’ rookie contract window. Conversely, a loss on Sunday could cool those deadline fires, signaling to the front office that the smarter play is to stay patient, hoard their draft equity and address these glaring roster holes through the draft and free agency.
Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Which of these trade targets makes the most sense for Washington? Feel free to add additional names to the board that you think the front office should be calling about before the window locks in!
